Ashworth College

[http://]

I'm interested in Locksmithing and I am really close to enrolling with Ashworth College (formerly PCDI). I don't see much discussion about them. The program cost approximately $900 and that's the special. Regular tuition is $1200+. What's so special about Foley-Belsaw? I always read about them on this forum. Before I enroll with AC, I want to gather alittle more info on other schools. Thanks.

[globallockytoo]

I've never heard of Ashworth College.....has anyone else? Where are they and who do they get their certification from? FB have been around for many years and have proven themselves to provide the very basics only. I personally would not hire an FB graduate, if that is their only claim to qualifications. Ashworth College is unheard of, so dont expect that anyone will hire you with that on your CV (IMHO).

I know that the ALOA PRP is accepted industry wide as an appropriate course and also Lockmasters is acceptable too.

Online courses, I recommend STI (Security Technical Institute) www.lockquiz.com

They are approved certifiers by at least a half dozen states in USA.

[http://]

AC is another Penn-Foster. I'm sure you may have heard of PCDI. They use to run commercials all the time a few years ago, now they changed their name to Ashworth College.

The resources you recommended will give me hands on training like FB but is more accredited therefore more accepted?

I'm tryinig to figure out what school maybe the best when it comes to Locksmithing. I read that FB tools are outdated but they are cheaper than AC. If these schools are crap then how can someone trying to get in the industry learn about the job?

So [b]just because some one graduated from FB/AC you won't hire them? What about the skills and knowledge they possess about the field/job? That should out weigh what school they attended.[/b]

[Squelchtone]

So just because some one graduated from FB/AC you won't hire them? What about the skills and knowledge they possess about the field/job? That should out weigh what school they attended.[/b]

I had a local locksmith tell me the same thing, he would never hire someone who came in the door with a FB certificate because that guy only "thinks" he knows everything about locksmithing, when in reality he only has a grasp of basic concepts. I was sad to hear this, but he's right. It's like saying, I read a book about (american) football and got some pads and a helmet at the sporting goods store, so now I'm gonna play for the NFL. The locksmith I dealt with said he would much rather have me intern or work for money a few nights a week or on Saturdays side by side with him and then he would hire me after passing along some on the job experience. I still feel having an FB cert on the wall is a good idea, but its not going to open all the doors for you. It just doesn't carry the same weight as saying, hey, here's my Bachelors in Engineering from Rochester, hire me and I want $65,000 starting.

Squelchtone

[eppiotic]

Our boss graduated the Foley Bellsaw course and he wouldn't hire someone based on the fact they graduated. He says when he has hired people with FB certificates he assumes they are almost completely green and is like hiring a totally new person. The benefit he gets by seeing FB is that it shows him that you really are interested in this career and shown dedication to it by spending your time and money.

Keep this in mind thats its just our opinion, and we do advocate courses and certification, but as to hiring... FB only gives you a taste of the pie.

After a year of employment we always re-pay their course fees.

[http://]

The locksmith I dealt with said he would much rather have me intern or work for money a few nights a week or on Saturdays side by side with him and then he would hire me after passing along some on the job experience.

I can handle that. That's makes alittle more sense. I think I will pursue AC.

[MarkC]

You may want to call them up to determine if it's just a theory course. A few of these "courses" consist of photocopies from locksmithing books and don't come with any tools, key machine, etc.

From personal experience, I can say that Foley-Belsaw and Penn Foster (ICS Canada) include tools but I'm not sure about the rest.

Mark

[http://]

I called and talked to a rep last week. Tools and text books come with it. Along with a doorknob I can practice with. Upon graduating, I will receive a certificate and a key machine. I think I will enroll. Seem
as I'll be in a same situation once I'm done with the program no matter what school I decide to enroll with.

Thanks for all you guys help. It was greatly appreciated!

[eppiotic]

One of our Techs went to a school in Boston called North Bennet Street School. Apparently it was pretty awesome, and you get factory certified with Medeco and all kinds of other stuff. As far as a school you go to, that one I'am told is pretty good.

[globallockytoo]

I have much respect for the syllabus at North Bennett Street School. Their program looks excellent. The few lockies i have spoken to that have done it are pretty good too. It's not cheap but the extra $$$ is probably worth it.

[nostromo]

OP - did you get information on 'locksmith schools', 'Foley', 'FB', 'Penn', etc when you did a forum search? There is also a sticky forum thread.

[yoyoboy]

I am a North Bennett graduate ad it is pretty through. My dad got laid off from truck driving in September and he is going there now.
You get alot of exposure to the basics, and learn about pretty much everything except automotive.
In the first half of the year yo do did keying, impressioning, writing master key systems, both standard progression, and selective keying. You learn how to do a complete site survey, including code compliance and pricing.
We also had several company representatives come and present their product, and give certification classes. My year we had MultiLock, Abloy, Kerri Systems (networked access control), Emtek, Bosch (CCTV) and a few others.

During the second half you learn instillation, access control and a bit of low voltage stuff, and safe work.
The instillation covers installing mortise locks by hand, without any jigs, cylindrical and rim locks, Adams-right locks, both with a hand drill, and a with a router jig.
Safe work covers combination changes, safe lock repair and manipulation of direct drive safes. If you work hard there is also the opportunity to do indirect drive group 3 safe lock manipulation as well.

You also do a two day field trip to visit different lock manufactures down in Connecticut.
We visited Schlage, LCN, Sargent, LAB, and the national lock museum.

The school, and Dave have a lot of connections in the industry, so job placement prospects are very good.
Except for me, every graduate in my class got a job. I went to college after graduating, which is what I had originally planned.

I'm sure I've left some stuff out, and if you have any questions about the school, please send me a PM.
Thanks,
Brendan Larrabee

[yng_pick]

On the flipside, as far as courses go, it also depends on what your goals are.

Having a cert from FB or a similar course definetly won't qualify you as an expert ready to be a full on locksmith for someones company. But this is similar to many degrees or certs in many fields.

One benefit it does have is if a company is looking to hire a lower paid entry level position, with some on the job training, it can put you ahead of many other applicants for the simple fact that it shows you actual interest in the field, rather than so many who would show up looking for a pay check rather than a career.

I would recommend it if you are interested in making a career out of locksmithing. A lot of the material in these courses are very very basic, but it will show a few concepts, and gives you something to put on the ego wall.

The ALOA course is worth considering, cause it will make the transition to active membership a bit smoother after the RL test, and if you make a career of it, ALOA membership is something to go for. Downside is, I think they only offer it at their Dallas location. I am not entirely clear on whether you can use a course from another company as the basis for taking the RL test, if someone else knows better, please correct me

[Reggiereg]

Hope I'm not too late! However if I'm not take my advice and don't go to Ashworth, it's a joke. I quit there course when I realized this and the rascals charged me over $400.00 in small print fees.

FB is a better place to get your feet wet hands down. The two are like night and day.

The material and textbooks was so outdated that the $400.00 to drop them was actually worth it.

Reggiereg...

[North of 60]

Hope I'm not too late! However if I'm not take my advice and don't go to Ashworth, it's a joke. I quit there course when I realized this and the rascals charged me over $400.00 in small print fees.

FB is a better place to get your feet wet hands down. The two are like night and day.

The material and textbooks was so outdated that the $400.00 to drop them was actually worth it.

Reggiereg...

I too am thinking about Ashworth / PCDI.
I get the impression that FB is outdated, and it doesn't seem to cover the electronics as much as PCDI.
Correct me if I'm wrong --- PLEASE!
I am looking at making a final decision within the next week or so. Right now it is between PCDI (Ashworth), ICS here in Canada, or Foley-Belsaw.

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

North of 60 --- Inuvik, NT